Seventies Sweetheart: From Breakup to Billionaire-Chapter 287: Xingfu Restaurant

"My requirements here aren’t high, but they’re quite detailed. You must arrive by 9:30 every morning to start washing and picking vegetables, preparing the ingredients needed for lunch. After the lunch rush passes, there will be a one and a half to two-hour break, then we’ll start preparing the afternoon dishes."

"You generally won’t finish up until after 6 PM, which means it might be around 7 PM by the time you return to the living quarters."

It’s just the beginning of autumn, and the days are still long. In a couple of months, when winter arrives and night falls early, without street lights, it might be completely dark by 7 PM.

The sisters-in-law said this isn’t a problem, "We’ll walk together, it’s fine."

Lin Xiang nodded and added, "I provide meals here, and you can eat whatever dishes are served each day. However, I’m very strict about hygiene; during hot weather, you must ensure you shower daily, and wash your hair every other day at most."

"In winter, even if it’s inconvenient, you must shower at least once every five days and wash your hair every three days. Keep your nails trimmed, no long nails, and no black dirt under the nails. Also, you shouldn’t have any unpleasant body odor..."

Lin Xiang went on rambling with numerous requirements, mostly related to hygiene. The sisters-in-law stated they are industrious people and taking showers in the military is convenient, no problem at all, and agreed easily.

Lin Xiang prefers dealing with straightforward people, saving the need for excessive talk.

"By the way, is there someone among you who’s good at cooking? I’m looking for a head cook, with an additional five bucks monthly salary."

Among the four, the youngest girl silently raised her right hand.

She looked quite young, even younger than Lin Xiang, and seemed a bit overwhelmed by the situation, appearing shy.

She cautiously started, "My second uncle is the village chef at our commune. I’ve been following him to cook for banquets since I was eight. After joining the military, I’ve been cooking for my brother and sister-in-law, and they say my cooking is delicious—better than the canteen."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiang’s first thought was about the braised pork made by her aunt.

The young girl rarely showed a confident smile, and Lin Xiang naturally didn’t want to discourage her, so she said, "Today’s menu is already set. Choose five out of ten dishes to cook, and if I find they’re on par, you’ll become the chef at our Xingfu Restaurant."

The young girl patted her chest and promised, "I’ll definitely do my best and won’t let you down, boss!"

The other three sisters-in-law could cook too, but for some reason, they didn’t contest the young girl.

All four were quick with their hands. With their joining, Mrs. Lin and Lin Xiang were finally freed from the workload.

Lin Xiang was just about to take a sip of tea, the cup not yet on her lips, when Cheng Jinyun asked, "Why didn’t you ask me why I brought four people here?"

Lin Xiang seized the chance to take a large gulp of water, finally soothing her dry throat.

She looked at Cheng Jinyun, puzzled, "Isn’t it just one more person than expected? What’s there to ask? You must have your reasons for doing this."

Cheng Jinyun instinctively asked, "You initially planned for three people and told me this no less than three times. But I ignored your decision and brought four people, aren’t you mad?"

Lin Xiang: "Why would I be mad? It’s just an extra thirty bucks in salary, and if they all do good work, then mom can relax and not be so busy. Compared to that, thirty bucks is nothing."

Cheng Jinyun: "I thought if I went against your wishes, you’d be mad."

Lin Xiang blurted out without thinking: "If it were anyone else, I’d definitely not be happy keeping all four, but you’re my brother, why bother over something so trivial?"

Whether it’s one person more or less really doesn’t matter to Lin Xiang.

But the premise is, the person was brought by Cheng Jinyun.

Lin Xiang’s mindset was simple. Cheng Jinyun is inherently principled; if he did this, he must have his reasons—why hold on to it?

"I can explain."

"Then go ahead."

This indifferent tone left Cheng Jinyun both amused and a bit helpless.

"The young woman you chose as the chef has a special situation." Cheng Jinyun explained, "Her father was also a soldier but died in the line of duty. Later, her brother joined the army and married a fellow soldier. Two years ago, her mother passed away due to illness, leaving her alone."

"Her brother and sister-in-law were worried, so they brought her with the military family, where she mainly cooks and cleans at their home, and helps with looking after the kids. But recently, her little nephew developed a chronic illness, requiring medication monthly, which is costly. Supporting three adults and three children with their stipends is genuinely tough, so she’s been seeking ways to earn money."

Including sewing for the military family area.

But most women joining the military are capable, and they all do some needlework. It’s only out of pity for her situation that she’s given some patchwork; everybody’s living tight, offering help once or twice a month is the most they can do.

Thus, when Cheng Jinyun returned to his unit in the morning and explained the situation to his trusted comrades, this young woman reached out proactively.

"I previously had the chance to taste her cooking once; it’s no match to yours, but it’s not bad either. Once you go to school, the restaurant will need someone to head the kitchen. If she’s both good character-wise and with her culinary skills, keeping her alleviates the pressure on mom and you, and also lends a hand."

As for the other three sisters-in-law, they’re also wives of Cheng Jinyun’s trusted comrades, of course, their character has no issues, otherwise Cheng Jinyun wouldn’t have brought them to the restaurant.

"Alright, then I’ll taste her cooking later—if it’s really good, we’ll let her be the head chef."

Lin Xiang didn’t dwell on this matter further, handing a loudspeaker to Cheng Jinyun, "You’re idle now anyway, want to help me with some work?"

"Sure."

Cheng Jinyun didn’t ask what Lin Xiang wanted him to do, he just followed her lead.

Until Lin Xiang left him at the South Gate.

"This exit is close to the library and canteen, lots of students pass by. Brother, stand here and shout out about our Xingfu Restaurant to pull in some business."

Lin Xiang handed Cheng Jinyun a stack of photocopies, "I’ve pre-recorded the loudspeaker message, you just need to turn it on. I know you get shy and embarrassed to shout, let the loudspeaker do it for you."

"Additionally, the flyers explain about our Xingfu Restaurant clearly, just hand them out to passersby."